8.6 Copula

In Timucua, the suffix –le or –la is a copula, or a suffix that links the subject to a noun or adjective. Sometimes it is attached to the noun, and sometimes it is separated. Though in English linking verbs, like “is,” act like the copula, in Timucua, like in Korean or Inuit languages, the copula takes the form of a suffix attached to a noun. At the end of a sentence, –le takes the form –la.

Here are two simple examples: 

Itaye means your father

Itaylemeans he is your father 

Oqe niala

that woman=cop

that one is a woman

Here are some longer examples:
bohonolehauela
boho–nole–haue–la
believe-nmlzcop-irr-dec
It is to be believed.
Christianonimono lebotela
Christianoni–monolebotela
Christian  1stcall-cop-pl-tns-dec
Christians we are to be called.

When a noun has a –le suffix, there can be nothing between the noun and –le. Any personal prefixes have to come before the noun and any tense markers or personal suffixes have to come after the copula –le.

Nivirole

Ni–viro–le.

1:abs-man-cop

I am a man

Niqisalebohaue

Ni–qisa+le–bo–haue

1:abs-dirt+cop-pl:abs-irr

We will be dirt.

Ini

A second way of expressing the idea of ‘be’ in Timucua uses the verb ini instead of the copula. It is often used with longer or definite noun phrases.

ulayaanoistitimaintela
ula –yaanoistiti–main(i)–te–la
child2ndpersonwicked-defbeing-tns-dec
Your daughter is being a rascal.
oqehicaintela
oqe ano–main(i)–te–la
thatvillage-defbeing-tns-dec
That is the village.